Frost Dates for Madison, CT 06443
Last spring frost April 19 · First fall frost October 29 · 193 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 06443 has about 17,700 people.
Long season: 193 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 29–May 9 (41 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 14 (37 days).
Frost probability for 06443
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 19 | March 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 29 | November 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GREENPORT PWR HOUSE (34.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 193-day season in Madison
In Madison (193 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 15 | May 3–May 10 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after May 3. | Jun 29 |
| Pepper | Mar 8 | May 3–May 10 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 3. | Jul 4 |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 235 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 29. | Aug 27 |
| Cucumber | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Peas | — | Feb 22–May 3 | 256 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 22. | Aug 18 |
| Zucchini | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Onion | Jan 25 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 22–Apr 12 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 22. | Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 22. | Aug 27 |
| Radish | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 29 | 298 | overwinter: Plant Oct 29 to Nov 19; harvest the following summer. | Nov 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 15–May 10 | 249 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 26. | Jul 11 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 5 | May 3–May 3 | 158 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 158 available after May 3. | Jun 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 207 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 12. | Aug 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 5 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 242 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 22. | Jul 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 158 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 158 available after May 3. | Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 151 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 151 available after May 3. | Jul 9 |
| Okra | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Basil | Mar 15 | May 10–May 10 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 22–Apr 12 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Parsley | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 193 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 26. | Aug 13 |
| Celery | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 10 | 193 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 26. | Jun 24 |
| Scallions | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Collards | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 151 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 151 available after May 3. | Jun 24 |
| Chives | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Oregano | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 207 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Sage | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 207 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Cosmos | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Lavender | Jan 25 | Apr 19–May 3 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Melons | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 151 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 151 available after May 3. | Jun 24 |
| Mint | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 172 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 26. | Jul 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 3. | Jun 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 19. | Jul 23 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 26. | Jul 4 |
| Watermelon | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 26. | Jun 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Zinnias | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
Month by month in Madison
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 25), Lavender (Jan 25), Onion (Jan 25), Rosemary (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 8), Collards (Feb 8), Kale (Feb 8), Oregano (Feb 8), Parsley (Feb 8), Scallions (Feb 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 22), Beets (Feb 22), Dill (Feb 22), Peas (Feb 22), Radish (Feb 22), Spinach (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 1), Calendula (Mar 8), Cauliflower (Mar 8), Marigolds (Mar 8), Pepper (Mar 8), Basil (Mar 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 8), Cilantro (Mar 22), Turnip (Mar 22), Carrots (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 22), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 22), Cabbage (Mar 22), Collards (Mar 22), Kale (Mar 22), Lettuce (Mar 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 15). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 5), Cantaloupe (Apr 5), Melons (Apr 5), Pumpkin (Apr 5), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 5), Watermelon (Apr 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 5), Sunflowers (Apr 19), Beans (Apr 26), Pole Beans (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 5), Swiss Chard (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Cauliflower (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 19), Lavender (Apr 19), +15 more. Last frost around April 19. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Cucumber (May 3), Eggplant (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pepper (May 3), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 16), Pumpkin (Jun 16), Cantaloupe (Jun 24), Celery (Jun 24), Melons (Jun 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 26), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 4), Tomatillos (Jul 4), Eggplant (Jul 9), Corn (Jul 11), Sunflowers (Jul 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 28), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 2), Cosmos (Aug 2), Cucumber (Aug 2), Zinnias (Aug 2), Broccoli (Aug 3), Nasturtiums (Aug 7), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 2), Cilantro (Sep 2), Collards (Sep 6), Scallions (Sep 6), Bok Choy (Sep 7), Lettuce (Sep 7), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 29). First frost around October 29. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 19). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Madison, CT (ZIP 06443)?
The median last spring frost date for Madison, CT (ZIP code 06443) is around April 19. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 29; one in ten it runs past May 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Madison, CT?
The median first fall frost date for Madison, CT is around October 29. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Madison, CT?
The frost-free growing season in Madison is about 193 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Madison (193 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Madison, CT?
Madison, CT is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Madison, CT?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 15 and plant out May 3 in Madison. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Madison?
Two: plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5.
When do I plant garlic in Madison?
Oct 29 to Nov 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Madison?
Yes: plant out May 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 29 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Guilford (ZIP 06437) has 202 frost-free days, 9 more than Madison (ZIP 06443). See Guilford ZIP 06437 frost dates
Nearby and related
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